tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Estimates of hepatitis B virus prevalence among general population and key risk groups in EU/EEA/UK countries: a systematic review
Authors: Sandra Bivegete, Anna L McNaughton, Adam Trickey, Zak Thornton, Becky Scanlan, Aaron G Lim, Lina Nerlander, Hannah Fraser, Josephine G Walker, Matthew Hickman, Peter Vickerman, Helen Johnson, Erika Duffell, Ellen Brooks-Pollock, Hannah Christensen
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2023)

Background The burden of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) varies across the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). Aim We aimed to update the 2017 HBV prevalence estimates in EU/EEA countries and the United Kingdom for 2018 to 2021. Methods We undertook a systematic review, adding to HBV prevalence estimates from an existing (2005–2017) database. Databases were searched for original English-language research articles including HBV surface antigen prevalence estimates among the general population, pregnant women, first-time blood donors (FTB), men who have sex with men (MSM), migrants and people in prison. Country experts contributed grey literature data. Risk of bias was assessed using a quality assessment framework. Findings The update provided 147 new prevalence estimates across the region (updated total n = 579). Median HBV prevalence in the general population was 0.5% and the highest was 3.8% (Greece). Among FTB, the highest prevalence was 0.8% (Lithuania). Estimates among pregnant women were highest in Romania and Italy (5.1%). Among migrants, the highest estimate was 31.7% (Spain). Relative to 2017 estimates, median prevalence among pregnant women decreased by 0.5% (to 0.3%) and increased by 0.9% (to 5.8%) among migrants. Among MSM, the highest estimate was 3.4% (Croatia). Prevalence among people in prison was highest in Greece (8.3%) and the median prevalence increased by 0.6% (to 2.1%). Conclusions The HBV prevalence is low in the general population and confined to risk populations in most European countries with some exceptions. Screening and treatment should be targeted to people in prison and migrants.
Unveiling and harnessing the human gut microbiome in the rising burden of non-communicable diseases during urbanization
Authors: Ziyu Huang, Yue Li, Heekuk Park, Martin Ho, Kanchan Bhardwaj, Naoki Sugimura, Hye Won Lee, Huicui Meng, Matthias P. Ebert, Kang Chao, Elke Burgermeister, Aadra P. Bhatt, Sudarshan A. Shetty, Kai Li, Weiping Wen, Tao Zuo
Journal: Gut Microbes (2023)

The world is witnessing a global increase in the urban population, particularly in developing Asian and African countries. Concomitantly, the global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rising, markedly associated with the changing landscape of lifestyle and environment during urbanization. Accumulating studies have revealed the role of the gut microbiome in regulating the immune and metabolic homeostasis of the host, which potentially bridges external factors to the host (patho-)physiology. In this review, we discuss the rising incidences of NCDs during urbanization and their links to the compositional and functional dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. In particular, we elucidate the effects of urbanization-associated factors (hygiene/pollution, urbanized diet, lifestyles, the use of antibiotics, and early life exposure) on the gut microbiome underlying the pathogenesis of NCDs. We also discuss the potential and feasibility of microbiome-inspired and microbiome-targeted approaches as novel avenues to counteract NCDs, including fecal microbiota transplantation, diet modulation, probiotics, postbiotics, synbiotics, celobiotics, and precision antibiotics.
Building a Better Insulin — Whom Will It Help?
Authors: Jane E Reusch
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2023)

The discovery of insulin in 1921 transformed the lives of persons with diabetes. On the 100th anniversary of this discovery in 2021, we celebrated the discovery of insulin and its legacy of long and healthy lives for those living with diabetes. Still, diabetes remains a major cause of illness and death and a lifelong, 24/7/365 burden to the individual patient. The numbers speak to the enormity of this challenge — an estimated 37.3 million persons in the United States and 537 million globally are living with diabetes. A total of 5 to 10% of this group live with type 1 . . .
Disparities in Travel-Related Barriers to Accessing Health Care From the 2017 National Household Travel Survey
Authors: Muhieddine Labban, Chang-Rong Chen, Nicola Frego, David-Dan Nguyen, Stuart R. Lipsitz, Amanda J. Reich, Timothy R. Rebbeck, Toni K. Choueiri, Adam S. Kibel, Hari S. Iyer, Quoc-Dien Trinh
Journal: JAMA Network Open (2023)

Importance Geographic access, including mode of transportation, to health care facilities remains understudied. Objective To identify sociodemographic factors associated with public vs private transportation use to access health care and identify the respondent, trip, and community factors associated with longer distance and time traveled for health care visits. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey, including 16 760 trips or a nationally weighted estimate of 5 550 527 364 trips to seek care in the United States. Households that completed the recruitment and retrieval survey for all members aged 5 years and older were included. Data were analyzed between June and August 2022. Exposures Mode of transportation (private vs public transportation) used to seek care. Main Outcomes and Measures Survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with public vs private transportation and self-reported distance and travel time. Then, for each income category, an interaction term of race and ethnicity with type of transportation was used to estimate the specific increase in travel burden associated with using public transportation compared a private vehicle for each race category. Results The sample included 12 092 households and 15 063 respondents (8500 respondents [56.4%] aged 51-75 years; 8930 [59.3%] females) who had trips for medical care, of whom 1028 respondents (6.9%) were Hispanic, 1164 respondents (7.8%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 11 957 respondents (79.7%) were non-Hispanic White. Factors associated with public transportation use included non-Hispanic Black race (compared with non-Hispanic White: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.54 [95% CI, 1.90-6.61]; P &amp;amp;lt; .001) and household income less than $25 000 (compared with ≥$100 000: aOR, 7.16 [95% CI, 3.50-14.68]; P &amp;amp;lt; .001). The additional travel time associated with use of public transportation compared with private vehicle use varied by race and household income, with non-Hispanic Black respondents with income of $25 000 to $49 999 experiencing higher burden associated with public transportation (mean difference, 81.9 [95% CI, 48.5-115.3] minutes) than non-Hispanic White respondents with similar income (mean difference, 25.5 [95% CI, 17.5-33.5] minutes; P &amp;amp;lt; .001). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that certain racial, ethnic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations rely on public transportation to seek health care and that reducing delays associated with public transportation could improve care for these patients.
Insights from a national survey in 2021 and from modelling on progress towards hepatitis C virus elimination in the country of Georgia since 2015
Authors: Josephine G. Walker, Irina Tskhomelidze, Shaun Shadaker, Maia Tsereteli, Senad Handanagic, Paige A. Armstrong, Amiran Gamkrelidze, Peter Vickerman
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2023)

BackgroundBetween May 2015 and February 2022, 77,168 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected people in Georgia have been treated through an HCV elimination programme. To project the programme's long-term impacts, an HCV infection model was initially developed, based on data from surveys among people who inject drugs and a national serosurvey in 2015.AimAccounting for follow-up surveys in 2021, we validate and update projections of HCV infection prevalence and incidence.MethodWe assessed the initial model projections' accuracy for overall prevalence, by age, sex, and among people who ever injected drugs, compared with 2021 serosurvey data. We used 2021 results to weight model fits and to recalculate the national programme's impact leading up to March 2022 on HCV infection incidence rates. Cases and deaths averted were estimated. The impact of reduced treatment rates during the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed.ResultsThe original model overpredicted adult (≥ 18 years old) chronic HCV infection prevalence for 2021 (2.7%; 95% credible interval (CrI): 1.9-3.5%) compared with a 2021 serosurvey (1.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-2.4%). Weighted model projections estimated a 60% decrease in HCV infection incidence by March 2022, with an absolute incidence of 66 (95% CrI: 34-131) per 100,000 person-years (overall population). Between May 2015 and March 2022, 9,186 (95% CrI: 5,396-16,720) infections and 842 (95% CrI: 489-1,324) deaths were averted. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 13,344 (95% CrI: 13,236-13,437) fewer treatments and 438 (95% CrI: 223-744) fewer averted infections by March 2022.ConclusionResults support the programme's high effectiveness. At current treatment rate (406/month), 90% reductions in prevalence and incidence in Georgia are achievable by 2030.
The <scp>MAGIC</scp> algorithm probability (<scp>MAP</scp>)‐guided preemptive therapy of acute graft versus host disease with methylprednisolone: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Qiang Zeng, Hang Zhang, Pu Kuang, Jian Li, Xinchuan Chen, Tian Dong, Qiuhui Wu, Chuanli Zhang, Chunping Chen, Ting Niu, Ting Liu, Zhigang Liu, Jie Ji
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2023)

Acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) is a severe complication that arises in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and remains the primary cause of nonrelapse mortality (NRM). The MAGIC algorithm probability (MAP) has been proposed to identify patients at intermediate and high risk of developing aGvHD. The levels of suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) and regenerating islet-derived 3α (Reg3α) were assessed, and MAP was calculated on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after allo-HSCT. Based on the MAP results, patients were classified into low-, intermediate-, or high-risk groups for the development of aGvHD. Random assignment was performed to allocate intermediate- or high-risk patients to receive preemptive therapy with methylprednisolone or not. The 100-day cumulative incidences of grade 2 or higher (35.5% ± 8.6%) and grade 3 or higher (12.9% ± 6.0%) aGvHD in the methylprednisolone group were significantly lower than those in the control group (66.7% ± 7.9%, p = .01; 42.9% ± 8.4%, p = .01), and similar to those observed in the low-risk group (31.7% ± 7.3%, p = .75; 2.4% ± 2.4%, p = .08). The 6-month cumulative incidences of NRM were 14.1% ± 6.6%, 22.7% ± 7.1%, and 2.4% ± 2.4% in the methylprednisolone, control, and low-risk groups, respectively, with no significant difference between the methylprednisolone and control groups (p = .29). Methylprednisolone did not increase infections (p = .34). The 100-day cumulative incidences of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation were 67.7% ± 8.4%, 65.6% ± 8.4%, and 46.3% ± 7.8% (p = .08), and those of grade 2 or higher hemorrhagic cystitis were 29.0% ± 8.2%, 45.2% ± 8.9% and 22.0% ± 6.5% (p = .11) in the methylprednisolone, control, and low-risk groups, respectively. MAP-guided preemptive therapy for aGvHD is promising. The long-term efficacy and safety remain to be investigated.
On the Decoupling of Evolutionary Changes in mRNA and Protein Levels
Authors: Daohan Jiang, Alexander L Cope, Jianzhi Zhang, Matt Pennell
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2023)

Variation in gene expression across lineages is thought to explain much of the observed phenotypic variation and adaptation. The protein is closer to the target of natural selection but gene expression is typically measured as the amount of mRNA. The broad assumption that mRNA levels are good proxies for protein levels has been undermined by a number of studies reporting moderate or weak correlations between the two measures across species. One biological explanation for this discrepancy is that there has been compensatory evolution between the mRNA level and regulation of translation. However, we do not understand the evolutionary conditions necessary for this to occur nor the expected strength of the correlation between mRNA and protein levels. Here, we develop a theoretical model for the coevolution of mRNA and protein levels and investigate the dynamics of the model over time. We find that compensatory evolution is widespread when there is stabilizing selection on the protein level; this observation held true across a variety of regulatory pathways. When the protein level is under directional selection, the mRNA level of a gene and the translation rate of the same gene were negatively correlated across lineages but positively correlated across genes. These findings help explain results from comparative studies of gene expression and potentially enable researchers to disentangle biological and statistical hypotheses for the mismatch between transcriptomic and proteomic data.
Nanoparticle-mediated synergistic anticancer effect of ferroptosis and photodynamic therapy: novel insights and perspectives
Authors: Haiying Wang, Chu Qiao, Qiutong Guan, Minjie Wei, Zhenhua Li
Journal: Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2023)

Current antitumor monotherapy has many limitations, highlighting the need for novel synergistic anticancer strategies. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of nonapoptotic cell death that plays a pivotal regulatory role in tumorigenesis and treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) causes irreversible chemical damage to target lesions and is widely used in antitumor therapy. However, PDT's effectiveness is usually hindered by several obstacles, such as hypoxia, excess glutathione (GSH), and tumor resistance. Ferroptosis improves the anticancer efficacy of PDT by increasing oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reducing GSH levels, and PDT also enhances ferroptosis induction due to the ROS effect in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Strategies based on nanoparticles (NPs) can subtly exploit the potential synergy of ferroptosis and PDT. This review explores recent advances and current challenges in the landscape of the underlying mechanisms regulating ferroptosis and PDT, as well as nano delivery system-mediated synergistic anticancer activity. These include polymers, biomimetic materials, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), inorganics, and carrier-free NPs. Finally, we highlight future perspectives of this novel emerging paradigm in targeted cancer therapies.
Liver injury in cynomolgus monkeys following intravenous and intrathecal scAAV9 gene therapy delivery
Authors: Eloise Hudry, Fumiaki Aihara, Emily Meseck, Keith Mansfield, Cameron McElroy, Deepa Chand, Francis Fonyuy Tukov, Kelley Penraat
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2023)

Hepatotoxicity associated with intravenous/intrathecal adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy has been observed in preclinical species and patients. In nonhuman primates, hepatotoxicity following self-complementary AAV9 administration varies from asymptomatic transaminase elevation with minimal to mild microscopic changes to symptomatic elevations of liver function and thromboinflammatory markers with microscopic changes consistent with marked hepatocellular necrosis and deteriorating clinical condition. These transient acute liver injury marker elevations occur from 3-4 days post intravenous administration to ∼2 weeks post intrathecal administration. No transaminase elevation or microscopic changes were observed with intrathecal administration of empty capsids or a "promoterless genome" vector, suggesting that liver injury after cerebrospinal fluid dosing in nonhuman primates is driven by viral transduction and transgene expression. Co-administration of prednisolone after intravenous or intrathecal dosing did not prevent liver enzyme or microscopic changes despite a reduction of T lymphocyte infiltration in liver tissue. Similarly, co-administration of rituximab/everolimus with intrathecal dosing failed to block AAV-driven hepatotoxicity. Self-complementary AAV-induced acute liver injury appears to correlate with high hepatocellular vector load, macrophage activation, and type 1 interferon innate virus-sensing pathway responses. The current work characterizes key aspects pertaining to early AAV-driven hepatotoxicity in cynomolgus macaques, highlighting the usefulness of this nonclinical species in that context.
A simple device for delivering a capsule endoscope
Authors: Wenbin Wu, Xianhong Zhao, Wanfeng Zheng, Beiping Zhang
Journal: Endoscopy (2023)

Capsule endoscopy is a convenient and minimally invasive method for gastrointestinal visualization. Ingestion of the capsule however, is sometimes difficult for infants, children, and adults with dysphagia. The complication of capsule aspiration is increasingly reported, especially in patients with dysphagia [1]. The AdvanCE capsule endoscope delivery device has been approved for capsule endoscopy in such cases [2]. However, to our knowledge, the AdvanCE delivery device is not available to most medical institutions in China. Therefore, we developed a simple device for capsule endoscope delivery.
Targeted coagulation of large stalk vessels in giant pedunculated colorectal polyp: is endoscopic submucosal dissection the new way to go?
Authors: Lucille Quénéhervé, Thomas Grainville, Rubeshen Arnachellum, Mathieu Pioche, Tony Michel, Jérémie Jacques, Timothée Wallenhorst
Journal: Endoscopy (2023)

Resection of giant pedunculated colorectal polyps can be tricky to achieve owing to the significant risk of bleeding. The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy therefore recommends injection of diluted adrenalin and/or mechanical hemostatic prevention, such as the use of a detachable snare in cases of head diameter > 20 mm and/or stalk > 10 mm [1]. However, when the head of the polyp is > 25 mm, it may be difficult to enclose it, leading to a significant risk of incomplete resection.
Is an isolated positive sonication fluid culture in revision arthroplasties clinically relevant?
Authors: Christien Rondaan, Alessandra Maso, Rares-Mircea Birlutiu, Marta Fernandez Sampedro, Alex Soriano, Vicens Diaz de Brito, Joan Gómez Junyent, Maria Dolores Del Toro, Jochen Gerhard Hofstaetter, Mauro José Salles, Jaime Esteban, Marjan Wouthuyzen-Bakker, Bernhard J.H. Frank, Alvaro Auñon, Laura Morata, Victoria Birlutiu, Elisa Storni, Luisa Sorli, Juan Pablo Horcajada, Flávio Guinsburg Hamburger, Carlos Salas Venero, Cimatti Pietro
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2023)

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of an isolated positive sonication fluid culture (SFC) in patients who underwent revision surgery of a prosthetic joint. We hypothesized that cases with a positive SFC have a higher rate of infection during follow-up compared with controls with a negative SFC.
Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. Part I. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinicopathological features, and prognosis
Authors: Brian M. Wei, Lindy P. Fox, Benjamin H. Kaffenberger, Abraham M. Korman, Robert G. Micheletti, Arash Mostaghimi, Megan H. Noe, Misha Rosenbach, Kanade Shinkai, Jason H. Kwah, Elizabeth J. Phillips, Jean L. Bolognia, William Damsky, Caroline A. Nelson
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2023)
Snare-based circumferential traction technique for endoscopic submucosal dissection of long circumferential early esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Qin Lu, Zhi-qiang Du, Xiang-rong Zhou, Wei-hui Liu
Journal: Endoscopy (2023)

Although tunneling dissection is reported to be effective in facilitating endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of esophageal circumferential lesions [1] [2] [3], endoscopists may lose visualization inside the narrow tunnel and it can be challenging to dissect the ridges between the tunnels [4] [5]. Herein, we propose a snare-based circumferential traction technique to improve the long circumferential ESD of early esophageal cancer ([Video 1]).
28 kg of carbon dioxide per endoscopic procedure. Time to make green endoscopy a professional priority
Authors: Enrique Rodríguez de Santiago
Journal: Endoscopy (2023)

About 2400 years ago, the Greek philosopher Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle, documented that human activity can alter the climate. In the 19th century, Professor Arrhenius proved that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions play a major role in keeping our planet warm [1]. In the 20th and early 21st centuries, overwhelming evidence confirmed that human activities are the cause of the current climate crisis and that our way of life impacts the atmosphere and biosphere [2]. Climate change has already wrought visible consequences in the form of droughts, hurricanes, heatwaves, and unprecedented loss of biodiversity. Nobody should be surprised that a recent study predicted an ice-free Arctic summer in the next decade, even under a low emission scenario [3]. Indeed, a survey by the European Commission found that European citizens identify climate change as the single most serious problem facing the world [4]. Nonetheless, despite the healthcare sector accounting for about 4.4 % of greenhouse gas emissions [5], “green endoscopy” was born just 3 years ago when a group of physicians called for sustainability [6]. Subsequently, the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy was the first scientific society to raise awareness of the environmental impact of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy [5]. Other major GI societies have recently published position statements with similar aims [7].
Balloon-assisted enteroscopy-ERCP with percutaneous transhepatic rendezvous technique for placement of a self-expanding metal stent
Authors: Alvaro Martínez-Alcalá García, Frank Aedtner, Klaus Mönkemüller
Journal: Endoscopy (2023)

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with surgically altered upper gastrointestinal anatomy is challenging. For these patients, balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE)-ERCP has been shown to be feasible, safe, and effective [1]. However, only plastic stents can be placed through the working channels of enteroscopes [2]. Here we present the concept of double-balloon endoscopy (DBE)-assisted-ERCP rendezvous technique with combined endoscopic–percutaneous placement of a biliary self-expanding metal stent (SEMS).
Endoscopic submucosal dissection for adenoma in gastric adenocarcinoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach
Authors: Yuri Saito, Mitsunori Kusuhara, Akiko Ohno, Naohiko Miyamoto, Yu Hada, Junji Shibahara, Tadakazu Hisamatsu
Journal: Endoscopy (2023)

Gastric adenocarcinoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach (GAPPS) is an autosomal-dominant syndrome developing gastric carcinoma with a background of fundic gland polyposis [1]. Although prophylactic total gastrectomy is considered given the high incidence of gastric cancer [2] [3], there is no consensus/guideline. We report a case of treating a pyloric gland adenoma (PGA) in GAPPS with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).